CROPS OF THE COLONY. 55 



entiiel}' unfit for European labor. Indeed, the Arabs of the coast 

 and hio-h plateau regions are hardly better inured to the summer con- 

 ditions, which only the thoroughly acclimated natives of the Sahara 

 can endure witht)ut suffering-. 



CROPS OF THE COLONY. 



The greatest wealth-producing crop of Algeria is the vine. The 

 climate and soils of a great part of Algeria, as of California, are 

 perfectly adapted to viticulture. The French colonists have put l)y 

 far the greater share of their energy and capital into the growing of 

 wine grapes. In 1S98 the average annual value of the j)roduct of 

 Algerian vineyards was estimated at $5.i )00,0( »U. The red and the white 

 table wines of the colon}' are steadily improving in quality and are 

 coming more and more into favor among foreign consumers. There 

 is also a consideral)le production of earl}^ table grapes for the markets 

 of Europe. 



Various orchard crops are likewise a source of revenue. First and 

 foremost stands the olive. Algeria is extending year l)y year the 

 area planted to olives, a product for which northern Africa has alwavs 

 been famous. As the inability of Italy and Spain to supply the 

 world's demand becomes more and more evident, the export of olive 

 oil from Algeria and Tunis will doubtless steadilv increase. Citrus 

 fruits,^ particularl}' mandarin and other oranges, are exported in con- 

 siderable quantities. In this industry, however, Algeria finds herself 

 in competition with Spain, Sicily, and other countries which have the 

 advantage of a larger or at least a better distributed rainfall. Figs are 

 grown in most parts of the colony. In Kabylia they are dried and 

 prepared for export, although the finest sorts of tigs for drying are 

 not grown in Algeria. 



A considerable variety of other fruits is grown, chiefly for domestic 

 consumption, among which may be mentioned pomegranates, apricots, 

 almonds, peaches, cherries, plums, apples, and pears. Tropical fruits, 

 such as the banana, pineapple, guava, and avocado, can be produced 

 in the open only in a very few localities along the coast, and can never 

 become crops of the first rank. The kaki and the loquat are more 

 promising. 



A restricted yet important industry in Algeria is the production of 

 dates. Especiall}' in the Sahara, dates form a staple food of the inhab- 

 itants, who eat great quantities of the ordinaiy sorts. The finer 

 varieties are now being grown in some quantity for export to Europe, 

 and a considerable amount of French capital has been invested in this 

 enterprise. 



Market gardens occupy a consideral)le area near the sea. Large 

 (juantifies of vegetables are grown, not only for the use of the home 



